The Savior Is Born

Birth announcements are joyous notifications sent to loved ones and those close to us for the purpose of letting them know about the precious new baby(ies) that has finally arrived.  But try as we might, no one yet has achieved the grandeur and gravity of the announcement of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1-16).  And the lowly shepherds who first received the heavenly announcement by an angelic host, were a sign of Jesus’ love and offer of salvation for everyone regardless of their social, political or economic status. I  pray that you are blessed in your celebration  of the good news of Jesus’ arrival and that you look forward with great anticipation to Him coming again. Amen

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.  (Luke 2:1-3)

Caesar decreed that a census be taken throughout the Roman Empire, occurring at the precise time that Jesus was due to be born.   Because of this decree, everyone was required to go to their town to register for the census.  So despite Mary’s advanced stage of pregnancy, she and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem (about 90 miles from their home in Nazareth).   

Know that God can orchestrates all things together for His purpose.  And this census occurred so that prophecy would be fulfilled and Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.  

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:4-7)

Joseph went to Bethlehem because he belonged to the lineage of David and that is where David’s descendants were required to go to be counted in the census.  Thus, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy.  Contrary to worldly expectations however, He wasn’t born in a royal palace, but in a stinky, dirty manger, which was normally used as a trough to hold animal food.  But, instead of holding food for animals, that night the manger held baby Jesus… the Bread of Life!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  (Luke 2:8-16)

The announcement of Jesus birth was made by an Angel of the Lord, followed by a heavenly host praising God.  And the announcement first came, not to royalty and the elite of Israel, but to lowly shepherds working in the fields. That first audience to hear Jesus’ birth announcement was not chosen by happenstance, but was intentionally chosen to show that Jesus, the anointed Messiah, came for everyone.  The shepherds didn’t hesitate nor discuss whether what they had seen and heard was real.  In faith, they hurriedly set off to Bethlehem to find the baby Jesus and see what God had done.  The last sentence confirms that they did indeed find Jesus.  And to this day, those who seek King Jesus to worship Him, do find Him… regardless of their economic or social station in life.  

The birth announcement that the world had waited so long to hear, was delivered by a heavenly host of angels…. to lowly shepherds living in a field.  The one born King of Kings and Lord of Lords was announced with unmatched grandeur to those least likely to have been invited to the party.  But it was by this act of announcing the Savior of the world to the last, the least, the lost and the left out, that we know  who it is Jesus came to save.  It was you, and it was me.  It was anyone humble enough to hear about Him and then seek to come to Him.  He is the Savior of the World, the Son of God, the Great I Am, the Good Shepherd and the Bread of Life.  Yet He doesn’t desire you to have any certain economic, political or social status to come to Him and be saved.  He only desires that you to come to Him with your whole heart and the humility to receive Him as your Lord and Savior.  You’re invited….Come celebrate the arrival of our Savior!

Blessings, Rev. Glenn

“For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.”  ~ Isaiah 9:6-7